Todd M Ellis

US Patent:

7278445, Oct 9, 2007

Filed:

Jul 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/887927

Inventors:

William Marvin - Brighton MA, US
Paul M. Davis - Blackstone MA, US
Geoff Swales - Somerset MA, US
Paul E. Litchfield - Westboro MA, US
Brian J. Christensen - Canton MA, US
Mark Busse - Canton MA, US
Todd Ellis - Canton MA, US

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Canton MA

International Classification:

F16K 11/16

US Classification:

1376012, 36 29, 137854, 251 82

Abstract:

An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism may be monolithic with the bladder or may be a satellite inflation mechanism coupled to the bladder. The article of footwear may also include a deflation mechanism. The deflation mechanism may include a release valve capable of remaining in a open position and/or an adjustable check valve. The deflation mechanism may also be a combination check valve and release valve accessing a single opening in the bladder.

US Patent:

7353625, Apr 8, 2008

Filed:

Nov 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/978568

Inventors:

Todd Ellis - Boston MA, US
Geoffrey Swales - Somerset MA, US
William McInnis - Mendon MA, US
Paul Bates - Canton MA, US

Assignee:

Reebok International, Ltd. - Canton MA

International Classification:

A43B 13/18
A43B 13/20

US Classification:

36 29, 36 28

Abstract:

A shoe includes a sole for cushioning a heelstrike. The sole includes a midsole, an optional outsole, and a resilient cushioning device. The resilient cushioning device includes a bottom component, a top component sealingly attached to the bottom component, wherein the top component includes a corrugated sidewall. The resilient cushioning device is a closed system that contains a fluid, such as a gas either at atmospheric pressure or pressurized. The resilient cushioning device may have only one interior compartment or a series of compartments fluidly connected to one another. The resilient cushioning device is partially embedded within the midsole in a heel region of the sole, although at least a portion of the sidewall of the resilient cushioning device remains visible from the exterior of a shoe sole.

US Patent:

7448150, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Feb 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/068057

Inventors:

Paul M. Davis - Blackstone MA, US
Todd Ellis - Canton MA, US

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Canton MA

International Classification:

A43B 13/20

US Classification:

36 29, 36 35 B, 36153

Abstract:

The invention is a support and cushioning system for an article of footwear. The system includes a resilient insert disposed within the sole of the shoe including several fluidly interconnected chambers. The chambers include first chambers disposed in the forefoot area of the sole and second chambers disposed in the heel portion of the sole. In one embodiment, the resilient insert is air inflatable using an on-board inflation mechanism disposed in the sole, wherein the resilient insert remains generally rigid when not inflated.

US Patent:

7513067, Apr 7, 2009

Filed:

Jan 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/330326

Inventors:

William Marvin - Brighton MA, US
Paul M. Davis - Blackstone MA, US
Geoff Swales - Somerset MA, US
Paul E. Litchfield - Westboro MA, US
Brian J. Christensen - Centerville MA, US
Mark Busse - Providence RI, US
Todd Ellis - Boston MA, US

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Canton MA

International Classification:

A43C 11/00
A43B 13/20

US Classification:

36 501, 36 29, 36 88

Abstract:

An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism may be monolithic with the bladder or may be a satellite inflation mechanism coupled to the bladder. The article of footwear may also include a deflation mechanism. The deflation mechanism may include a release valve capable of remaining in a open position and/or an adjustable check valve. The deflation mechanism may also be a combination check valve and release valve accessing a single opening in the bladder.

US Patent:

6131921, Oct 17, 2000

Filed:

Nov 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/443352

Inventors:

Todd D. Ellis - Boston MA
Peter Foley - Minnetonaka MN
Lennert B. Johnson - Milford NH
David J. Lacorazza - Norwell MA

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Stoughton MA
V2 Jenex - Milford NH

International Classification:

A63C 1714

US Classification:

280 112

Abstract:

A variable training resistance device for an in-line skate. The skate includes a boot and a plurality of wheels disposed on a chassis. A resistance assembly, including a cam and bearing assembly or a rack and pinion assembly, is disposed between two of the wheels on the chassis. The cam and bearing assembly includes a plurality of cam carrier blocks disposed along either side of the chassis, wherein one of the cam carrier blocks has a first cam axle fixedly disposed thereon. A cam lever having a second cam axle is rotatably mounted on the chassis, and a plurality of cams are rotatably disposed on the first and second cam axles. Bearings are rotatably disposed between the cams and can be adjusted vertically to contact and provide resistance to the wheels of the in-line skate. The resistance assembly also includes a microadjust assembly to vary the position of the bearings with respect to the wheels of the skate. The rack and pinion assembly includes a rack, a pinion for engaging the rack, bearings disposed about the pinion, and a lever for moving the pinion upwardly or downwardly on the rack.

US Patent:

57554501, May 26, 1998

Filed:

Oct 18, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/733813

Inventors:

Todd D. Ellis - Boston MA
David J. Lacorazza - Norwell MA
Daniel A. Nolan - Salem NH
Lennart B. Johnson - Milford NH

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Stoughton MA
V2-Jenex Inc. - Milford NH

International Classification:

A63C 1714

US Classification:

280 112

Abstract:

A braking system for an in-line skate. The skate includes a boot mounted on a chassis. A cuff is rotatably mounted on the chassis. The chassis has a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted thereon. The braking system for the skate includes a brake pad housing which is either fixedly or pivotally attached to a rear portion of the cuff, a brake pad disposed in the housing, and a roller arm rotatably mounted on the chassis. The roller arm is spring loaded so that when the brake is not in use, the roller arm is disposed above the wheels. The roller arm has a bearing assembly disposed therein, so that when the brake is actuated by a rearward rotation of the cuff, the brake pad engages the bearing assembly of the roller arm, thereby causing said bearing assembly to engage said at least one of the wheels to slow and/or stop the skate.

US Patent:

60188928, Feb 1, 2000

Filed:

Sep 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/923460

Inventors:

Jeffrey J. Acheson - Weymouth MA
Todd D. Ellis - Boston MA

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Stoughton MA

International Classification:

A43B 720
A43B 516
A43B 504

US Classification:

36 89

Abstract:

An internal collar device for an article of footwear. The internal collar device includes ankle wraps, a pivoting spine and a heel cup. The pivoting spine is a relatively narrow portion of the internal collar device which is flexible so that it pivots with the wearer's movement. The internal collar device is disposed in an external boot of the article of footwear so that the internal collar device pivots about a pivot axis near the wearer's malleoli. The article of footwear is configured so that internal collar device pivots almost entirely independently from the external boot. As such, the internal collar devices controls the forward and rearward flex of the wearer's ankle and provides support to the wearer's foot and ankle within the article of footwear. Further, forward and rearward flex of the wearer's ankle does not result in a crease or wear area forming in the external boot so that the present invention prevents premature wear of the boot material.

US Patent:

58235442, Oct 20, 1998

Filed:

Feb 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/796428

Inventors:

Todd D. Ellis - Boston MA
Daniel A. Nolan - Salem NH

Assignee:

Reebok International Ltd. - Stoughton MA

International Classification:

A63C 1706

US Classification:

280 1122

Abstract:

An anti-abrasion and rockering system for an in-line skate. The skate includes a skate boot mounted on a chassis. The chassis includes two sidewalls which are parallel and opposite to each other. Each sidewall has a row of holes formed therein, such that the holes on the first sidewall align with and are opposite to the row of holes on the opposing sidewall. Two of the opposing sets of holes are oblong. A plurality of axles are disposed in the holes on the chassis so that the wheels are rotatably mounted on the axles and between the sidewalls of the chassis. The anti-abrasion and rockering system for the skate includes bushings disposed in the holes in the chassis. The bushings disposed in the oblong holes slide up and down in the holes. An anti-abrasion and rockering plate is disposed on the exterior of each sidewall. Each plate has a first and second row of holes for accommodating the axles.